A mystery crossing lodge, listed as ‘Burntwood’. Anyone recognise it? Credit will be provided later.
Courtesy of the lady with the cardigan, I have been let in to the secret a remarkable archive of old architectural images, open to the public.
I’ll link to it later, but at the moment, we’re all still scouring it for gems, as like the Waterways Archive, the indexing seems – curious.
In the meantime, where was the above image taken? It’s classified under ‘Burntwood’ – but doesn’t look Burntwood to me.
This is a remarkable historical resource, and I’ll let you into the secret later. In the mean time, just look at these two images of very nearly lost local buildings in a light we’ve never seen them.
If you know already, don’t spoil it 😉
My thanks to the lady in the ganzey with pockets full of hazelnuts.
The chapel in Coppice Lane, Brownhills, in 1982, and derelict, shortly before conversion to flats. The building in the foreground – the schoolroom – was demolished. Credit to be provided later.
A rare photo of Great Barr hall in better times, with some classic motors in front. Image credit to be provided later.
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Hi Bob
Interesting set of photos. How i wished that the top photo was of somewhere close to Burntwood but alas I’m afraid I dont think it is. i believe it to be Pinfold Crossing Box on the North Staffordshire Railway at Uttoxeter. The box was a McKenzied & Holland, Type 1 box. The additional glazing down to the operationg floor is the section in the middle. The locking room has stone lintels. The gates and the crossing keepers cottage are typical NSR in feel. The later was demolished to make way for the new Uttoxeter Box which replaced Pinfold Crossing on 25/1/1981.
Beyond the box is the home & distant signal for the down line (to Stoke) and the catch point and buffer protecting the Down sidings, some of which I believe were still insitu until at least 2005.
A signal plan of the 1950’s also shows the crossover in the front of the picture.
Finally, I think the largest clue of all is the 16 Milepost. Mileposts on the NSR were usually started from Stoke-on-Trent Station. The distance for the new box’s position is given as 16.00, I rest my case.
Hope the above is of interest and hopefully correct?
Kind regards
Ian
hi Bob
wow! cheers Ian…and the signalman drank Typhoo?
the Congregational chapel is said to be the oldest non conformist one in Brownhills…but…there was a small Independent Primitive Methodist chapel , called Catshill in the Lichfield Prim circuit Minute book, which stood in Ogley Road, about where the telephone exchange is, that may have been of similar age. The Congregational chapel looks older than its sunday school building, pictured.
Interestingly the Congegational chapel was close to bell pits, original line of coalmines. I wonder where the workers house stood? Where did the Prims live and work,,I wonder?
kind regards
David
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